Jumping pit

ABSTRACT

A jumping pit of the portable type for use in conjunction with pole vault and high jump events. First, second and third modules are positioned adjacent each other and have a main cover secured thereto and extending thereover. Each of the modules comprise a lower foam section having an upper foam section secured thereto. The lower foam section is provided with a plurality of spaced apart vertical openings extending therethrough and is constructed of a foam material which is more firm than the upper foam section. A module cover encloses the foam sections and has a loosely woven top provided thereon. The main cover also has a loosely woven top portion, the tops of the covers permitting air to escape from the foam sections upon the jumper falling thereon. An auxiliary module having a cover thereon may be secured to the front end of the modules when the pit is being used for pole vaulting. A flap extends from the main cover over a portion of the auxiliary module and is secured thereto.

United States Patent 1391 Sorenson [451 July 1,1975

[73] Assignee: AMF Incorporated, White Plains,

221 Filed: Aug. 6, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 61,753

[52] US. Cl. 272/59 R; 5/344 [51] Int. Cl. A63b 69/00; A47c 27/00 [581 Field of Search 272/59, 57,57 R, 58, 59 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,204,259 9/1965 Gordon 272/59 3,262,134 7/1966 Bramble..... 5/344 3,268,922 8/1966 Moxley 5/344 3,283,345 11/1966 Berek 5/345 R 3,319,273 5/1967 Solin 1. 5/344 3,369,808 2/1968 Sconce 272/59 R X 3,513,491 5/1970 Gordon 5/345 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 803,936 11/1958 United Kingdom 5/345 R 1,302,872 6/1962 France 5/345 Primary ExaminerRichard J. Apley Attorney, Agent, or FirmGeorge W. Price; Walter Lewis I 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A jumping pit of the portable type for use in conjunction with pole vault and high jump events. First, second and third modules are positioned adjacent each other and have a main cover secured thereto and extending thereover. Each of the modules comprise a lower foam section having an upper foam section secured thereto. The lower foam section is provided with a plurality of spaced apart vertical openings extending therethrough and is constructed of a foam material which is more firm than the upper foam section. A module cover encloses the foam sections and has a loosely woven top provided thereon. The main cover also has a loosely woven top portion, the tops of the covers permitting air to escape from the foam sections upon the jumper falling thereon. An auxiliary module having a cover thereon may be secured to the front end of the modules when the pit is being used for pole vaulting. A flap extends from the main cover over a portion of the auxiliary module and is secured thereto.

1 Claim, 10 Drawing Figures JUMPING PIT Bags filled with air or with shredded foam material have been used in conjunction with track and field events such as pole vaulting and high jumping. The bags are better than the old sawdust pits but are difficult to handle and do not provide the proper landing area for the jumpers.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a jumping pit.

A further object of this invention is to provide a jumping pit of the portable type.

A further object of this invention is to provide a jumping pit which may be disassembled for storage and transportation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a jumping pit which provides the proper landing surface for the jumpers.

A further object of this invention is to provide a jumping pit comprising a plurality of modules having a cover element thereon.

A further object of this invention is to provide a jumping pit comprising a plurality of covered modules having a main cover extending thereover, the covers having a loosely woven top portion to permit air to escape from the foam material.

A further object of this invention is to provide a jumping pit which is easily assembled.

A further object of this invention is to provide a jumping pit which is durable in use, refined in appearance and economical of manufacture.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a jumping pit used in pole vault events.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a jumping pit used in high jumping events.

FIG. 3 is a partial top elevational view illustrating the manner in which the top flap of the main cover is secured to the auxiliary module;

FIG. 4 is a partial top view of the pit of FIG. 1 with a portion of the top cover removed to more fully illustrate the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial rear perspective view of the auxiliary module illustrating the end flap in an open condition;

FIG. 6 is a partial end view as seen along lines 66 of FIG. 1 with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of one of the modules;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view as seen along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view as seen along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of one of the modules.

One form of the jumping pit is designated by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 and is intended for use in conjunction with a pole vault event. Pit 10 comprises generally modules 12, 12' and I2" having a cover 14 extending thereover. Only module I2 will be described in detail since the modules I2, 12' and 12" are identical with and indicating identical structure on modules I2 and 12" respectively.

Module 12 is constructed of a rectangular shaped lower foam section 16 which is preferably 5 /2 feet wide, I 1 feet long and 22 inches thick. Section 16 has a plurality of spaced apart cylindrical holes 18 formed therein by removing 8 X 22 inches cores therefrom. The holes 18 need not by cylindrical in shape. and can be rectangular, elliptical, or any desired geometric shape. Upper foam section 20 is secured to lower foam section 16 by glue or the like and extends thereover as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. Section 20 is preferably 5 A feet wide, I l feet long and 10 inches thick. As seen in FIG. 7, section 20 does not have openings formed therein as does section 16. It is preferred that upper section 20 be constructed of a foam material which is somewhat less firm than the foam material of section 16.

Sections 16 and 20 are enclosed in a module cover 22 having a bottom 24, sides 26, 28, ends 30, 32 and top 34. Bottom 24, sides 26, 28 and ends 30, 32 are preferably constructed from a vinyl coated nylon fabric while top 34 is constructed from a loose weave fabric resembling plastic window screen material having somewhat less than 50 percent open area.

Straps 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44, comprised of a webbing material, are sewn to bottom 24 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 so that the ends thereof are formed into loop portions 46 extending outwardly of the cover 22. A Dring 48 is secured to each of the loop portions 46. End 30 is closable by means of a Velcro fastener means 50 provided at the edges of end 30 and the ends of bottom 24 and sides 26 and 30.

In use, the modules 12, 12' and 12" are arranged in the manner seen in FIG. 2. If desired, the modules can be secured together by snaps 52 extended between the registering D-rings 48 at the bottom thereof.

Cover 14 includes sides 54, 56, ends 58, 60 and top 62. Sides 54, 56 and ends 58, 60 are preferably constructed from a vinyl coated nylon fabric while top 62 is constructed from a loose weave fabric material identical to top 34 of cover 22. Cover 14 has a plurality of spaced apart grommets 64 provided adjacent the lower ends thereof as seen in FIGS. 2 and 6 which are spaced above the D-rings 48. Snaps 52 connect the grommets 64 and D-rings 48 as illustrated in FIG. 6 to maintain the cover 14 on the modules 12, 12' and 12" and to prevent separation thereof.

Cover 14 also prevents possible injury to the jumper by covering the joints between the adjacent modules. Cover 14 has a flap 66 extending from the upper end of end 60 as seen in FIG. 2. A plurality of resilient straps 68 extend from the lower end of flap 66, each of which have a hook 70 at the free end thereof.

In FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the numeral 72 refers generally to an ear" or auxiliary module which is secured to the modules 12, 12' and 12" when the pit is being used for pole vaulting. Module 72 comprises generally a foam section 74 enclosed by a cover 76. Module 72 has a forward end having a thickness less than the rearward end thereof to provide a tapered upper end. Module 72 is provided with a recessed area 78 to permit the module to be positioned on three sides of the vaulting box into which is inserted the vaulting pole. Cover 76 has a top constructed of material identical to top 34 of module I2 and top 62 of cover I4. The remainder of cover 76 is constructed of the vinyl coated nylon fabric previously discussed. A plurality of tabs 80 are sewn to module 72 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of which have a grommet 82 provided thereon. The bottom 84 of cover 72 has at least 2 straps secured thereto having D- rings 86 mounted thereon. Snaps 52 connect the D- rings 86 and D-rings 48 to maintain module 72 in the position seen in FIG. 1. Flap 66 is extended over a portion of module 72 with the hooks 70 on straps 68 being secured to the grommets 82 on tabs 80. Flap 66 serves to cover the joint or crack between the module 72 and modules l2, l2 and 12'. Cover 76 is provided with a closable rear end flap 88 to permit the section 74 to be inserted into or removed from cover 76. A Velcro fastener means 90 is provided to yieldably maintain flap 88 in a closed condition.

As previously stated, the pit is used in conjunction with pole vault events. The pit may also be used for high jump events by simply removing the module 72 from the modules l2, l2 and 12''.

Pit 10 is positioned so that the module 72 is received between the vertical supports which support the crossbar and so that the vaulting box is positioned in recessed area 78. The construction of the modules l2, l2 and 12" is such that a proper cushion is provided for the jumper. The material of the tops of the module covers and the cover 14 permits the escape of air therethrough upon the jumper falling thereon and compressing the foam material. The cover 14 not only maintains the modules 12, 12' and 12" together but also covers the joints between modules l2, l2 and l2, l2". Openings 18 in member 16 decrease the mass of cushion 16 and enhance the over-all cushioning effect of the unit.

The covers on the modules may be replaced by simply removing the body members or foam material therefrom through the ends 30. The fact that the assembled modules 12, 12 and 12" comprise the jumping pit makes the pit easier to store and transport. As previously stated. the auxiliary module 72 may be de tached from the other modules when the pit is being used in conjunction with a high jump event.

Thus, it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

1. A jumping pit, comprising.

a plurality of resilient modules arranged in a side-byside relationship,

each of said modules comprising a resilient body member and a module cover enclosing the same, each of said body members comprising a lower rectangular foam section and an upper rectangular foam section positioned thereon, said lower section having a plurality of vertically disposed openings formed therein and extending completely there through,

said upper rectangular foam section being positioned immediately adjacent said lower rectangular foam section,

and a cover means at least partially enclosing said plurality of modules and being secured thereto to prevent the separation of said modules with respect to each other,

a resilient auxiliary module secured to said plurality of modules and extends from one side thereof, said auxiliary module having a length less than the distance between the bar supports of a pole vault apparatus, said auxiliary module having a recessed area at its center length to permit said auxiliary module to partially extend around the vaulting box, said auxiliary module having a tapered upper end portion which extends downwardly and outwardly from the plurality of modules; and a flap member extending from said cover means partially over said upper end portion of said auxiliary module, said flap member being normally secured to said auxiliary module, said flap member also being able to be positioned in a vertically disposed condition adjacent said one side of said plurality of modules when the auxiliary module is not secured to said plurality of modules when the pit is being used for high jump events,

and a plurality of resilient members detachably securing said flap member to said auxiliary module when the said auxiliary module is positioned at said one side of said plurality of modules. 

1. A jumping pit, comprising, a plurality of resilient modules arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each of said modules comprising a resilient body member and a module cover enclosing the same, each of said body members comprising a lower rectangular foam section and an upper rectangular foam section positioned thereon, said lower section having a plurality of vertically disposed openings formed therein and extending completely therethrough, said upper rectangular foam section being positioned immediately adjacent said lower rectangular foam section, and a cover means at least partially enclosing said plurality of modules and being secured thereto to prevent the separation of said modules with respect to each other, a resilient auxiliary module secured to said plurality of modules and extends from one side thereof, said auxiliary module having a length less than the distance between the bar supports of a pole vault apparatus, said auxiliary module having a recessed area at its center length to permit said auxiliary module to partially extend around the vaulting box, said auxiliary module having a tapered upper end portion which extends downwardly and outwardly from the plurality of modules; and a flap member extending from said cover means partially over said upper end portion of said auxiliary module, said flap member being normally secured To said auxiliary module, said flap member also being able to be positioned in a vertically disposed condition adjacent said one side of said plurality of modules when the auxiliary module is not secured to said plurality of modules when the pit is being used for high jump events, and a plurality of resilient members detachably securing said flap member to said auxiliary module when the said auxiliary module is positioned at said one side of said plurality of modules. 